Comments and reviews from the 40th Anniversary Celebration Concert

FROM THE AUDIENCE

What a wonderful evening! I do hope you all enjoyed performing as much as we enjoyed listening to you. It was a really lovely concert and a real privilege to hear Susanna singing; she has I am sure a brilliant career ahead of her. [Di Johnston]

Congratulations to one and all and to Clive for holding it all together. Robert Vanryne plays like an angel. [Helen Cunningham]

Congratulations, Clive, on a truly wonderful evening yesterday: it was an immensely satisfying programme, played with energy and commitment. Please pass on our appreciation to the orchestra – especially those who (literally) stood out in the Copland. Susanna’s performance was quite beautiful; so poised and confident. Please thank her and all your NMO team for sending us home with happy smiles on our faces! [Maggie and Michael Stockbridge]

Thank you so much for organising such a fantastic evening. We both really enjoyed it, and having a coach made it perfect. The music will stay in our ears forever. [Susan Devereux]

Very many congratulations; thank you Clive and the orchestra so much. Your wonderful music making kept me on the edge of my seat with sheer joy and excitement; and your soloists were sublime. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. Here’s to the next 40! [Ros Asher]

The concert was joyous – partly simply because of the music, but also because your musicians were obviously having such a great time. Art and music are such powers for civilisation: beauty in any form raises the spirit and Thursday was indeed life affirming. Thank you. [Susan and Neil Brice]

We loved the orchestra, programme and venue, it was such a fantastic concert! Congratulations to all. [Jane and Christopher McDouall]

Congratulations on a great concert last night – it was nice working with you, and I really appreciated you being so well organised. [David McCleery, Concerts and Events Manager, St James’s Church, Piccadilly]

AND FROM THE ORCHESTRA

I really enjoyed the programme and thought Clive had some excellent suggestions for the Mozart symphony, which is all too often hashed through with little thought. Many congratulations on the 40th anniversary of NMO, an impressive achievement in today's cultural climate. [Rebecca Allfree, NMO Principal First Violin]

It was a real pleasure to work with you again last week and enjoy some wonderfully uninhibited music making. The Tchaikovsky Serenade and Mozart 40 were thrilling, as is Susanna's voice. It was also notable how many young people were in the audience, and great to hear of your focus on education work. [Robin Martin, NMO violinist]

Just to say what a real joy it was to be with you, Nicky and the whole ‘family’ - and participate in this 40th Anniversary event! It was a wonderful and most memorable occasion. The music-making was as inspiring and thrilling as ever. I feel so privileged to have been a part of this very Special Orchestra. [Lynda Coffin, Principal Flute since the very first concert in 1977]

Belated congratulations for your superb concert, direction and management. Susanna sang beautifully, a lovely voice. It really was a concert to remember, and a pleasure too to play with somebody as distinguished as Robert Vanryne. [Graham Salter, Cor Anglais soloist]